Improvement in folding chairs and life-preservers



PATENT OEEIcE.

J. MAX BUDIGEB, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING CHAIRS AND LIFE-PRESERVERS.

/Spedcification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,209, dated July 18, 187,1.

l'o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. MAX BUDIGER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful 1inprovement in Folding Chairs and Life-Preservers; and l do hereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand and use the same, reference being had to y the accom aanvin(r drawing making )art of this e D C C:

specification, in which- Figur-e l is a side view of the device illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front View thereof in a folded state. Fig. 4 is a side view thereof in a folded state.

Similarlettersof reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists in so constructing a folding chair that, when it is folded or closed, it will readily form a life-preserver.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a folding chair of the class which, when not required for use, is readily folded or closed, in order to form a compact bundle for convenience of handling, storing, or transportation. B represents the sea-t thereof', which is hinged to the legs and made to fold between the side pieces of the back of the chair or otherwise, as is usual in such cases. The space inside of the frame of the seat is occupied by a block or piece, C, of buoyant substance, and a similar block or piece, D, of buoyant substance, occupies the space between the legs of the chair. It is preferable that the piece D should be connected to the rear legs of the chair in order to keep the front legs clear and unobstructed, and thus render the seat comfortable to the occupant. The pieces C D may consist of metal or rubber air-chambers, wood, cork, or' other substances most suitable for the purposes intended. It will be seen that when the chair is open it forms a comfortable seat, has an ordinary appearance, and its parts are in usual position. The piece D is not in the way and scarcely detracts from the general style of the chair, while the space it occupies, being otherwise vacant, is accordingly utilized. When it is required to fold the chair, the parts being hinged are permitted to come together and form a compact ararticle, occupying but little width, and allowing the ready handling, stowin g, and transportation of the chair, as is well known to those who are familiar with this class of chairs. Attention is directed to the fact that when the chair is thus folded the seat O and piece D are broughtin line with each other, and form, as it were, a long and somewhat ilat body, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. In this condition a life-preserver is produced.

A special advantage of my invention is that the chairs that are not in use, but folded and stowed away or lying round, always form lifepreservers. No operation is required to convert the chairs into such because they are so converted by the operation of folding.

Chairs on shipboard which are in use or within reach are, in cases of accidents, such as falling overboard or shipwreck, seized as available objects for safety, but their tendency to roll renders them uncertain and unreliable. The dimensions of the chairs and their projecting legs are also serious inconveniences, and serve to incommode and confuse passengers who crowd together in the excitement and commotionof the occasion. My invention is designed to remedy these evils as well as provide a serviceable life-preserver.

When the chair is folded it can be carried vertically between the people, and occupy comparatively but little room, while its legs being closed in will not be thrust against the passengers nor cast in the way of their feet. The preservers will readily float and afford sufficiently large and safe resting places for the persons thereon. A life-raft can easily be constructed from a number of chairs.

Other uses of my invention will present themselves as occasion` suggests or necessity requires. The device will be found simple and useful, and embody the advantages and conveniences of either a-folding chair or life-preserver.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

A folding chair, having the buoyant seat B and the buoyant piece D of the legs combined and operating together so as to convert the chair into a life-preserver, in the manner described.

The above signed by me this 17th day of February, 1871.

Vitnesses: J. MAX RUDIGER.

EUGENE D. BERRI, WM. BERRI, Jr. 

